Getting ready for the new school year in Royal Oak this year is a lot more complicated — and expensive — than usual.

School district officials estimate flooding during the epic Aug. 11 rainstorm caused more than $2 million in damages and cleanup costs.

Most of the damage and flooding happened at the district’s high school, with minor damage at the middle school, said Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin.

Classes begin next Tuesday.

“The good news is that because we had an aggressive response to the flooding, the buildings are cleaned, santitized and ready for students,” he said.

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This week, restoration workers continued to dehumidify rooms affected by the flooding and were set to be certified for building sanitization by Wednesday.

The district is facing cleanup costs of about $500,000 and $1.6 million in damages.

One of the biggest setbacks is that six boilers at the high school were all submerged in several feet of water when the basement flooded. District officials have been told the boilers can be rebuilt, but Lewis-Lakin said they will soon do an analysis to determine whether it is better to rebuild or replace the boilers. Classes can start before the boilers are fully up and running, he added.

“We also have to replace all the control systems for our heating and cooling,” Lewis-Lakin said. “The most significant impact (of flooding) was in the mechanical room, which was under 6 to 8 feet of water.”

Carpeting and flooring in a number of other rooms at the high school is being replaced, including the floor in the auxiliary gym. About 10 computers were ruined in the media center.

How much of the damage the district’s insurance carrier will cover is still unclear, Lewis-Lakin said.

“At this point our insurance coverage appears to be limited,” he said. “We are in ongoing conversations with our insurance carrier.”

The district has enough fund equity in its general fund to absorb the costs without affecting student learning programs, but the district is seeking to have damage costs reimbursed through any state or federal aid that may be available.

In neighborhing Clawson, school officials are still assessing damages from flooding.

“We’re planning on being open for the first day of classes,” said Monique Beels, superintendent for the Clawson Public Schools District. “We’re working with our insurance company and replacing classroom and office furniture” damaged by flooding.

Though Clawson officials have yet to determine a dollar amount for damages, the impact of flooding was significant. Like Royal Oak, Clawson schools have undergone cleaning, sanitizing and dehumidifying.

The Baker Administration building had the most damage and all carpeting there is being replaced, along with classroom tile floors and damaged furniture.

At Clawson Middle School, the gym floor was destroyed and has to be replaced, along with tile being used to replace carpeting in a hallway and three classrooms. Office carpeting and furniture also has to be replaced,